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PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation Syllabus

The ISSB Preparation syllabus for PMA Long Course in full: 5 chapters and 17 topics, every one listed below, plus 50 ISSB Preparation flashcards with answers.

5Chapters
17Topics
50Flashcards

ISSB Preparation syllabus: all 5 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Intelligence Tests

     2 topics
    • Verbal Intelligence Practice
    • Non-Verbal Intelligence Practice

  2. Psychological Tests

     4 topics
    • Word Association Test
    • Sentence Completion Test
    • Thematic Apperception (Picture Story) Test
    • Situation Reaction Test

  3. Group Testing Tasks

     5 topics
    • Group Discussion
    • Group Planning Exercise
    • Progressive Group Task
    • Command Task
    • Individual Obstacles

  4. Interview and Personality

     3 topics
    • Personal Interview Preparation
    • Officer-Like Qualities
    • Self-Description and Confidence

  5. Physical Fitness Test

     3 topics
    • 1.6 km Run
    • Push-ups and Sit-ups
    • Chin-ups

PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. What does the abbreviation ISSB stand for?

    Inter Services Selection Board — the body that selects candidates for commission in the Pakistan Armed Forces.

  2. How many days does the standard ISSB testing process last?

    Four days (a 4-day testing period after the screening/initial day), assessing candidates psychologically, physically, and on intelligence.

  3. What are the three main groups of testing officers who assess a candidate at ISSB?

    The Deputy President (DS/Interviewing Officer), the Psychologist, and the Group Testing Officer (GTO).

  4. In ISSB Verbal Intelligence tests, what category of question asks you to find the relationship between word pairs?

    Verbal analogies — e.g., 'Hand is to Glove as Foot is to Sock.'

  5. What is the recommended time strategy for the ISSB Verbal Intelligence Test?

    It is highly speed-based; attempt easy questions first, do not dwell on any single item, and aim to attempt as many as possible within the strict time limit.

  6. In number-series questions (Verbal Intelligence), what must you identify to find the next term?

    The rule or pattern governing the sequence (e.g., adding, multiplying, alternating differences) and apply it to predict the next number.

  7. What does a Non-Verbal Intelligence Test use instead of words?

    Figures, shapes, patterns, diagrams and symbols — testing reasoning without language so it is unbiased by vocabulary.

  8. Name three common question types in the ISSB Non-Verbal Intelligence Test.

    Figure series/analogies, odd-one-out (classification), and matrix/pattern completion; also mirror images, embedded figures, and paper folding.

  9. In a Non-Verbal 'odd one out' question, what are you required to do?

    Identify the single figure that does not share the common property (shape, rotation, shading, count) held by the others.

  10. What is the purpose of mirror-image and water-image questions in Non-Verbal Intelligence?

    To test spatial reasoning — recognising how a figure or character appears when reflected along a vertical (mirror) or horizontal (water) axis.

  11. What is the Word Association Test (WAT) and how is it administered?

    A psychological projective test where words are flashed one at a time (about 15 seconds each) and the candidate writes the first sentence/thought that comes to mind.

  12. Roughly how many words are shown in a typical Word Association Test, and how long is given per word?

    Around 80–100 words, each shown for approximately 15 seconds.

  13. What does the Word Association Test (WAT) aim to reveal about a candidate?

    The candidate's subconscious thoughts, dominant personality traits, attitudes and Officer-Like Qualities through spontaneous responses.

  14. What is the recommended way to respond in the Word Association Test?

    Write a short, positive, meaningful sentence reflecting action and good qualities — not just the dictionary meaning or a single word.

  15. In WAT, how should a candidate ideally handle a negative word like 'fail' or 'enemy'?

    Respond constructively/positively — e.g., turning the negative into determination, learning or resolve — rather than dwelling on the negative meaning.

  16. What is the Sentence Completion Test (SCT)?

    A projective psychological test giving incomplete sentences that the candidate must finish, revealing attitudes, sentiments and personality.

  17. How does the Sentence Completion Test differ from the Word Association Test?

    SCT gives an incomplete sentence stem (a phrase) to complete, whereas WAT gives a single isolated word; SCT allows fuller expression of thought.

  18. What kind of responses are advised in the Sentence Completion Test?

    Positive, optimistic, mature completions that reflect determination, responsibility and Officer-Like Qualities.

  19. What is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), also called the Picture Story Test?

    A projective test where ambiguous pictures are shown and the candidate writes an imaginative story about each, revealing personality and motivation.

  20. In the TAT, what three time elements must each story address?

    What led up to the scene (past), what is happening now (present), and what the outcome will be (future).

Show the other 30 ISSB Preparation flashcards

  1. How long is each picture typically shown in the TAT, and how long to write the story?

    Each picture is shown for about 30 seconds, followed by roughly 4 minutes to write the story.

  2. What is the significance of the blank slide shown at the end of the TAT?

    On the blank slide the candidate imagines and writes a story of their own choosing, revealing their natural, self-generated themes and aspirations.

  3. What should the 'hero' of a TAT story represent?

    A character close to the candidate's own age and gender who shows positive Officer-Like Qualities and successfully resolves the situation.

  4. What is the Situation Reaction Test (SRT)?

    A test giving many everyday or challenging situations to which the candidate writes brief, practical reactions, revealing decision-making and temperament.

  5. Approximately how many situations are given in the SRT and how should answers be written?

    About 60 situations to answer in roughly 30 minutes; each answer should be a short, decisive, practical reaction.

  6. What qualities is the Situation Reaction Test designed to assess?

    Quick thinking, presence of mind, responsibility, courage, common sense and the ability to react sensibly under pressure.

  7. What is the Group Discussion (GD) in the GTO series of tests?

    An unstructured discussion where a group debates a given topic without a leader, assessing communication, reasoning and social adjustment.

  8. Is there a chairman or leader appointed in the ISSB Group Discussion?

    No — the GD is leaderless and informal; no one is appointed to lead, and candidates participate freely.

  9. Name three Officer-Like Qualities that the Group Discussion specifically reveals.

    Power of expression, ability to influence the group, and social adaptability/cooperation; also reasoning and self-confidence.

  10. What is the recommended conduct during a Group Discussion?

    Speak clearly and confidently with valid points, listen to others, avoid dominating or arguing aggressively, and help the group reach conclusions.

  11. What is the Group Planning Exercise (GPE), also called the Military Planning Exercise?

    A GTO task where the group is given a map and a story with several simultaneous problems, and must plan a solution individually then collectively.

  12. What are the main stages of the Group Planning Exercise (GPE)?

    The GTO narrates the problem, candidates read the model/map, each writes an individual solution, then the group discusses and presents a joint plan.

  13. What does the Group Planning Exercise primarily assess?

    Organising ability, prioritisation of problems, time/resource management, practical reasoning and the ability to plan under constraints.

  14. What is the Progressive Group Task (PGT)?

    The first outdoor group obstacle task where the group crosses a series of obstacles of increasing difficulty using helping materials, with rules to follow.

  15. In outdoor group tasks like the PGT, what are the three standard 'rules' or restrictions?

    The colour rule (out-of-bounds colours like red), the distance/ground rule (out-of-bounds areas), and the rule on load/plank/rope limits.

  16. What helping equipment is typically provided in the Progressive Group Task?

    A wooden plank, a balli (wooden pole/log), a rope, and a load (such as a drum or weight) to be carried across obstacles.

  17. What does the Progressive Group Task assess in candidates?

    Cooperation, stamina, initiative, planning, team spirit and the ability to contribute physically and mentally to group goals.

  18. What is the Command Task in the GTO series?

    A task where one candidate is appointed commander, given an obstacle to cross with two or three subordinates of their choice, testing leadership directly.

  19. What is the key difference between the Command Task and the Progressive Group Task?

    In the Command Task one nominated candidate leads and gives orders to chosen helpers, whereas the PGT is a leaderless cooperative group effort.

  20. What qualities does the Command Task specifically test?

    Leadership, command/decision-making, confidence, the ability to give clear orders, and effectiveness in directing subordinates to achieve a task.

  21. What are the Individual Obstacles in the GTO tests?

    A set of physical obstacles each candidate attempts alone, individually numbered by difficulty, within a fixed time limit.

  22. How many individual obstacles are typically set, and how are they scored?

    Usually about 10 obstacles, numbered 1–10 by increasing difficulty; candidates score by their numbers and may repeat obstacles within the time limit.

  23. How much time is generally allowed for the Individual Obstacles, and can obstacles be repeated?

    About 3 minutes; yes, a candidate may attempt obstacles in any order and repeat them to gain more points within the time.

  24. What do the Individual Obstacles assess about a candidate?

    Physical courage, stamina, determination, agility and the drive to attempt difficult tasks without fear.

  25. Name three common individual obstacles found in ISSB GTO grounds.

    High jump/wall, the double ditch (gap jump), the rope climbing/swinging, the balancing beam, and the tarzan/monkey crawl are typical examples.

  26. What is the Personal Interview at ISSB?

    A one-on-one interview, usually with the Deputy President, covering the candidate's background, knowledge, motivation and personality.

  27. What broad areas does the ISSB Personal Interview typically cover?

    Personal/family background, education, hobbies and general knowledge, current affairs, reasons for joining the forces, and Pakistan Army knowledge.

  28. What is the recommended demeanour and dress for the Personal Interview?

    Be honest, confident and calm, maintain eye contact and good posture, dress neatly and formally, and give consistent truthful answers.

  29. What underlying set of traits do all ISSB tests collectively aim to measure?

    Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) — such as leadership, courage, intelligence, social adjustment, determination, responsibility and effective expression.

  30. What is the Final Conference (board) at the end of the ISSB process?

    A meeting where all three assessors (Deputy President, Psychologist, GTO) discuss each candidate and reach a consensus recommendation on selection.

PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation FAQ

What is in the PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation syllabus?

PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation is split into 5 chapters: Intelligence Tests, Psychological Tests, Group Testing Tasks, Interview and Personality and Physical Fitness Test. Together they contain 17 topics.

How many chapters are in PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation?

5 chapters, containing 17 topics. The largest chapter is Group Testing Tasks, with 5 topics.

Are there flashcards for PMA Long Course ISSB Preparation?

Yes — a 50-card ISSB Preparation deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.